"Of course, the events in Ukraine were the reason why sanctions against Russia were introduced. First of all, I want to note that Russia is a superpower. I believe that all the sides need to sit down and reach an agreement on Ukraine. America and the EU are concerned about the situation in eastern Ukraine, but sanctions are the last way to reach a compromise," Eroglu said.
The politician also praised Turkey for not backing western sanctions against Russia.
"Turkey, for instance, has not joined sanctions against Moscow, and it did the right thing. Russia is a world power and cooperating with it is in the interests of Ankara," he said.
Addressing the Crimean issue, the politician stated that the international community has failed to take into account the stance of local residents, which was expressed in the March referendum. More than 96 percent of Crimean voters backed the motion to secede from Ukraine and reunite with Russia.
Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated following Crimea's reunification with Russia in March and Kiev's launch of a military operation against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine in April.
The United States and a number of its allies have imposed sanctions against Russia, targeting its defense, banking and energy sectors, as well as certain individuals, over Moscow's alleged interference in Ukrainian internal affairs. Russia has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Russia May Pave Way Global Recognition of Northern Cyprus
Russia's recognition of Northern Cyprus could inspire the international community and encourage other countries to follow its lead, Dervis Eroglu, the president of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, told Sputnik Turkey on Monday.
"Russia's recognition could ultimately lead to the creation of two separate states in the Mediterranean, which will recognize each other and live side by side," he added.
The politician stressed that Moscow should "not support the illegal actions" of the Greek Cypriots. "We are the victims here. Russia, as a powerful state, should be on the victims' side," he said.
Northern Cyprus, officially known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a self-proclaimed state in the Eastern Mediterranean, occupying the northern regions of the island of Cyprus. Cyprus was de facto divided between the Greek and Turkish communities in 1974, when Turkey invaded the island after a coup staged by the supporters of a Greek military junta. The republic proclaimed its independence in 1983 and is currently only recognized by Turkey.
